PC Magazine November 2014

In this month's issue of PC Magazine: Discover what new e-payment systems mean for physical currency; dig into the most important new features of Windows 10; take a peek behind the scenes at Big Hero 6, Disney's biggest animated movie ever; learn how to share your passwords safely and browse like a boss in Firefox; and much more!

Apple Pay just launched, and it's already igniting controversy.¬ But what does it mean for the future of physical currency? A lot, says PC Magazine writer Evan Dashevsky in this month's cover story, and little of it good. Evan digs into how digital payment systems are already revolutionizing how we buy everything, and why it may only be a matter of time until the dollar goes the way of the dodo‚ÄĒprovided we get few crucial elements right first.

We also look at another new development that's shaking the technology industry: Windows 10. Microsoft skipped a whole version number in announcing its next-generation operating system, but may have had good reason for doing so; this newest incarnation of the OS makes some radical changes (and even more radical returns to form) in the wake of the still-struggling Windows 8. You'll learn about all the major features of Windows 10, and why it's Microsoft most important release in years.

With Big Hero 6, which is slated for release November 7, Disney spared no expense in making its newest animated film its biggest and most daring to date.¬ We peel back the veil of secrecy at Walt Disney Animation Studios to discover the new technologies Disney developed to bring its futuristic world to life, and how they're also poised to transform animation in the years come.

You've heard the advice a thousand times: Don't share your passwords. But the fact is, you can make it easy for your friends and family to access your online accounts if they have to‚ÄĒand still keep your most important personal information safe. Organizational expert Jill Duffy explains how.

Firefox is one of the world's most popular Web browsers and, like its competitors, is ridiculously easy to use.¬ But it's packed with powerful features you may not have discovered.¬ Our list of tips will have you using it to browse like a boss in no time.

When it comes to cooking, is your specialty reservations?¬ If so, get ready to turn your fortunes around:¬ We've unearthed the ten best mobile apps for preparing a Thanksgiving dinner so sumptuous, it will make even Martha Stewart's mouth water.¬ Download a few of these and you'll have your meal guests begging for seconds from this year forward.

If you have a smartphone, you have a camera. And, hey, it's plenty good for capturing most of the moments you want to remember, right? Wrong. When it comes to snapping breathtaking photos, you need a real camera‚ÄĒand it doesn't have to be an expensive one. Our photography expert, Jim Fisher, has a dozen examples to show why your phone's camera may not actually be good enough.

Lower-income people can benefit from apps, but too often developers don't keep their most urgent needs in mind. A recent fellowship in New York helped app developers determine what's most important for people at every income level, and the software that resulted is already changing lives.¬ We'll introduce you to the apps and the people who are making them, and making a major difference.

Your personal trainer may soon be sweating it. Wearable technology is taking on a whole new meaning with smart exercise clothes that can report your health and fitness levels using information supplied by your own body.¬ How well do the clothes work, and what does this mean for your workouts?¬ We'll answer both questions when we take the clothes for a spin.

When it comes to smartphone use, don't be dumb; learn the tricks you need to get done what you need while not alienating other people. Tech etiquette guru Alex Colon explains how to stay smart with your phone, whether you're at a wedding, a rock concert, or even in the bathroom.

Plus, as always, PC Magazine is loaded with essential tips, expert opinions, tech news, and Lab-tested reviews of the hottest and most innovative products you can buy. We hope you enjoy the November issue.

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